Forest Park

Forest Hills, NY

No admissions fee, free parking lot (says permit only but we were able to park for two hours; the locals say you don't get towed...at your own risk)

Optimum Seasons:  Spring, Summer, Fall

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Unless you live close by and don't own a car, Forest Park is not something you really have to go out of your way to see.  There are far better hiking options in the upstate New York, the Bronx and on Long Island if you want to stay within a two hour radius.  I took a bunch of friends here the second week of November thinking it would be peak foliage but was disappointed as the forest was still pretty green.  The signage here is no good and the map I found misleading.  We didn't walk the entire park but the areas we did weren't anything too exciting.  Just trails.  No surprises such as creeks or beaches or mountain tops to be found at the end of a hike.  The only surprise here was a trail of horse footprints that had us anticipating a horse siting for two hours until we finally found a woman horse back riding passed us.  According to a local, there is an equestrian track nearby and you could rent a horse and ride through the park.  I know nothing more about this alleged claim.  But it's worth exploring for those who are interested.   

However, the park east of Metropolitan Avenue has a lovely playground and is quite serene and beautiful, with gorgeous homes surrounding the perimeter.  I grew up in this area and have amazing memories playing here as a child.  

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NYC Day Trips - Sourced Adventures

New York City's tri state area

www.sourcedadventures.com

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This is the outdoors made accessible and affordable for everyone!  Especially those who live in the city and don't own a car, it can be hard to get to the great oudoors and countryside that surrounds them.  Sourced Adventures provides round-trip transportation and offers a plethora of trips every season, all at a low cost. Any adventurer has the opportunity to escape the city for the day, weekend, or week.  Whenever my kids are older, I will one thousand percent use Sourced Adventures to go white water rafting, kayaking, or river tubing (I'd have no idea how to go about this otherwise).  There is also vineyard hopping and brewery tours.  The trip also covers lunch and gets you safely back to the city the same evening, all for under $125 per person.  That's a pretty awesome deal for an amazing day trip with or without children! Great for meeting people who share your interest as well for those looking to date! 

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Untermyer Park and Gardens

Yonkers, NY

Admission Fee, free parking lot

Optimum Seasons:  Spring, Summer, Fall

www.untermyergardens.com

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These gardens were once called "America's Most Spectacular Garden".  Based on the Garden of Eden as described in the Book of Genesis, the Walled Garden is the finest Persian garden in the Western Hemisphere.  To the west, a large Grecian temple stands atop a swiming pool and lower terrace.  Mosaic work is showcased throughout the Walled Garden.  Samuel Untermyer, a prominent Jew and Zionist, acquired the property in 1899 and sough to build "the finest garden in the world" on its steep slopes.  It was his intention for the gardens to become a state park after his death, to be maintained and preserved for the enjoyment of the public.  Unfortunately, the gardens were too expensive to maintain and only a portion was given to the City of Yonkers in 1946 as a city park.  

The gardens today contain about 43 acres.  I went here mid April during Spring Break with the children.  But I highly recommend waiting it out until May and the Summer months when the magnificent flowers are on display in the Walled Gardens.  Or the Fall during foliage for breathtaking views of the Palisades.  

Kill two birds with one stone:  Visit Wave Hill which is a twenty minute local drive from here

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Hello, World!

Kings Point Park

Kings Point, NY

No admission fee, free parking lot

Optimum Seasons:  Spring, Summer, Fall

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Located in Great Neck's most affluent town, King's Point Park is mostly a forest with hiking trails.  It also has a baseball field and picnic areas and a playground on its south side.  But the main draw, I think, is the hiking mid November during the peak of foliage.  It took an hour on the trail we took, but it was lovely at every turn.  

Kill a few birds with one stone:  Visit neighboring Stepping Stone if you have a park pass and are a Great Neck resident!

For a list of other parks great for hiking, click here.

Click on the gallery above (best viewed on a desktop for captions), the videos below to get a better sense of the area, and add your feedback by clicking on the comments section below!  Follow me on Instagram and Facebook to see my next adventure!  And share with your friends if you appreciate this page!

 

Central Park

Midtown, NY

No admission fee, free parking on street

Optimum Seasons:  Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

www.centralparknyc.org

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There are not enough days in one's life to visit every corner of this oasis located smack in the middle of the concrete jungle.  I myself with and without the children, have visited the Shakespeare Garden, the Central Park Zoo, the Carousel, the Mall, the Reservoir, the Great Lawn, Loebs Boathouse, Strawberry Fields, Conservatory Water, and my very favorite (with an album all of its own)....The Central Park Conservatory.  Of all the famed gardens in NYC and its outer boroughs, THIS IS THE ONE TO SEE!  It is completely free, and walking the grounds you can't help but feel like royalty.  It is no where as big as NY Botanical Garden or Brooklyn Botanical Garden, but it is far more exquisite. I went here on Mother's Day with the entire family and we enjoyed every minute.  Tip:  Go the week Magnolia or Crabapple trees are in blossom.  Pay attention to those specific trees in your neighborhood so you have an idea of their bloom period before you go.  Also, there is a Maoz felafel stand right outside the garden in actual Central Park, perfect to feast on during a picnic!  And go to the park early (before 11am) if you are driving in or if you want to avoid long lines to rent a row boat by Loeb's Boathouse.  It costs $15 per hour and $5 per each additional hour per boat (not per person). Make sure you know how to row before you go!  

Kill a few birds with one stone:  Or kill a billion birds with one stone.  There is prime real estate all over Central Park.  There is no going wrong with dining, shopping, or just walking around every block and enjoying the architecture! 5th Avenue, Madison Avenue and Park Avenue run parallel along the East Side and Columbus and Amsterdam run parallel along the West Side and showcase some of the most expensive residential building in the world as long as high end shopping.  Also, museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, and the Jewish Museum line up the Museum Mile on 5th Avenue.  Central Park South has hotels such as The Plaza and Ritz Carlton.  The West Side has the Museum of Natural History, Time Warner Building, Columbus Circle, The Dakota Building, Lincoln Center a block over.  The North has Harlem and Columbia's campus.  There's no losing anywhere you turn!

For a list of other parks and gardens, click here.

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Caumsette State Historic Park Preserve

Huntington, NY

No admissions fee, free parking lot

Optimum Seasons:  Spring, Summer, Fall

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This is a scenic peninsula located on the Long Island Sound. It is a 1,750 acre preserve that includes multiple hiking paths, horse stables, gardens, and a sand beach.  The land is relatively flat so the hike is not so difficult.  It will take you about two hours to park in the lot and then walk around the property (at snail's pace mind you).  I did this in the second week of November when foliage was at its peak, on a beautiful sunny day with blue skies.  I'd say anything under a 50 degree day is too frigid, as you are surrounded by water.  The big perk to this hike is that when you get to the end of the trail, you find yourself on a sand beach!  It was a truly beautiful and exhilarating experience.  You can go with a friend, a loved one, old children, or young children.  Have a good jogging stroller if you are bringing a toddler or baby. Lots of photo ops at every turn!

Kill a few birds with one stone:  Huntington is among the most charming towns on the north shore of Long Island.  There are many towns along the drive on Northern Blvd.  Also, if you are in the mood for another hike involving an uphill climb, try Cold Spring Harbor park.  I have not checked this off my bucket list yet but I have been told once you get to the top of the short mountain, you enjoy breathtaking views of the Sound.  Let me know how it goes!

For a list of other gardens and local places to hike, click here.

Click on the gallery above (best viewed on a desktop for captions), the videos below to get a better sense of the area, and add your feedback by clicking on the comments section below!  Follow me on Instagram and Facebook to see my next adventure!  And share with your friends if you appreciate this page!